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In the Kitchen at The Shack

Barbecue with a side of family and heaping of love

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Mackenzie Free

The Shack BBQ restaurant in Talladega has won lots of awards for its smoky, tender meat and fall-off-the-bone ribs. It’s earned rave reviews in magazines, newspapers, blogs and from the many celebrities who have dined there.

But the only thing that really matters to owners Sharon and Rickey Frieze is keeping their customers – some who have been coming to the restaurant for decades – well fed and happy. “I’m feeding the fourth generation of some families,” said Sharon, whose parents opened the barbecue joint on July 1, 1983.

“We just feel so good when we see people our age bringing their kids and grandkids and saying, ‘We won’t eat barbecue anywhere else,’” Rickey added. “That makes you feel good, and it’s why we’re staying.”

Located on Stemley Bridge Road, just minutes away from Logan Martin Lake, The Shack has become a staple for lake lovers as well as locals. “The water has really helped us,” Sharon said. Her husband agreed. “It’s a world of difference between winter and summer here. People quit coming to the lake in the winter,” he said.

Folks heading to the lake aren’t the only fans, though. They’ve served celebrities like Billy Ray Cyrus, members of The Temptations, David Arquette, Bobby Bowden, NASCAR drivers, a Seattle Seahawks player, and Donna Douglas, who was Elly May Clampett on “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

They’ve got admirers in New York, Wisconsin, Texas and even France. One day Rickey heard a helicopter flying real low and went outside to investigate. “The thing landed on the grass across the street and two guys got out of it and came over here to eat,” Rickey said, shaking his head.

Sauce in their veins

It all started with a single Boston butt. Sharon’s parents, Haskell and Dot Hann, were looking for something to keep them busy after their four kids – Wayne, Sharon, Jeff and Shane – were grown. “My daddy sold cars, and my mama was going to sell minnows and fishing supplies, but they got bored. At least my mama did,” Sharon said.

A family friend, Cyril Fulmer, suggested they smoke a butt and sell it. That sounded like a good idea, they tried it, and people came back for more. They kept making barbecue, the crowds kept coming, and Haskell eventually built a restaurant out of railroad crossties that was known as “Hack’s Shack.” Not long after, he added a red antique caboose, which now serves as the restaurant’s kitchen.

“At first, all you could get was chips and a barbecue sandwich and that was it,” Sharon said. Haskell and Dot ran the restaurant, where all of the kids worked, until he passed away just over a year later at 53. Dot kept it going for six more years until Sharon and Rickey bought it in 1990. They’ve been running it ever since as The Shack BBQ. “Mom was still the head boss until she died in 1996,” Sharon said. “I just paid the bills. She was in charge.”

It’s still very much a family business. All of Sharon’s siblings continued to work at the restaurant for years, and each generation since then has come on board at some point.

“Every family member has been taught to cook – kids, nieces, nephews,” Sharon said, adding that even her niece’s 12-year-old twins help her pack up food and utensils for catering orders. “Somebody asked me where I get employees, and I say I grow ‘em,” she said.

She’s not lying. Their son, Michael, works full-time at the restaurant, and their daughter, Heather, works in a doctor’s office during the week but helps out at the restaurant on the weekends and holidays. “I made both of my children go to college and get an education,” she said. “This is a lot of hard work and dedication. That’s the secret.”

Employees who aren’t related by blood become family, as well, and some of their family members end up joining the crew. One employee, who works the front counter, was out back one day with her husband, who cuts wood for the restaurant. “I said, ‘We’re really busy, do you want to work,’” Sharon remembered. “We don’t have interviews. Either you fit in or you don’t.”

Barbecue, slaw, baked beans and ribs among Shack favorites

The ones that do stay a while. One of the cooks has been at The Shack for 35 years. One of the managers has been there for 40 of the restaurant’s 43 years, Sharon said. “We treat our employees well,” she said. “If they’re not family, they’re like family.”

Change is overrated

One thing that will never change is the way they cook their barbecue. “It’s all cooked out of hickory wood,” Rickey said. “We’ve been cooking here with hickory wood as long as I can remember. We stay with what we know works.”

Butts are smoked overnight for about 15 hours while the ribs are smoked for three or four. “A lot of things can change that,” Rickey said. “The temperature and how much wind there is changes how fast it cooks. You have to know what to look for and how to adjust.”

Customers can order their barbecue any way they like it. Some prefer the tender inside meat while others love the smoky flavor of the outside meat. Some want it chopped, which is always done by hand and not with a machine, while others prefer sliced. They also offer mild, hot, and sweet sauce

“Any way you want your meat, that’s how we’ll do it,” Rickey said. Sharon prefers hers straight out of the pit. “I eat my barbecue when we’re taking it off,” she said. “The scraps that stick to it are my favorite.”

What she doesn’t eat makes a good meal for the birds. “We’ve got a family of crows that love us,” Rickey said. “Everything that sticks to the pit we throw outside.”

While they’ll never change the way they make their barbecue, they have added some things to the menu over the past four decades. Burgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, chicken fingers and a barbecue stuffed baked potato have made their way into the lineup over the years.

Sides like coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, fries and onion rings are big hits, and those with a sweet tooth can choose between banana pudding and pecan pie. Customers can also order whole Boston butts, barbecue by the pound, and slabs of ribs.

While they’ve always had plenty of business to keep them going, there have been two times they worried about the future of The Shack. The first was about 27 years ago when a fire started in the wiring of a kitchen light fixture.

At the time, the kitchen had been a room off the back of the dining room – complete with red-checked tablecloths – and the old caboose was used for storage. While they were surveying the damage, “customers started coming in the same day,” Sharon said. “One of them said, ‘Does this mean I can’t get a barbecue?’ We still had the pits, we still had meat, so I made him a sandwich,” Sharon said.

The restaurant never closed. They turned the caboose into a functioning kitchen, sold take-out food through one of its windows and allowed guests to dine on picnic tables under the trees. It worked so well they’ve kept the caboose as a kitchen ever since and the original kitchen is now a storeroom.

COVID brought another challenge. “We were scared to death, but we got the word out that if you called in, we’d bring your food out to the car,” Rickey said. “People started calling in and calling in. It just blew our minds that people were so good to us.”

A side of laughter

You can’t run a family business, Sharon said, without a lot of laughter, and they have that in abundance. “We cut up all the time,” she said. “This is our life, so we always say, ‘If we die on a holiday, just put me to the side. We’ve got customers to take care of.”

It’s not just a family joke. Haskell passed away right around Labor Day, and the family held his funeral after the holiday. Her brother, Jeff, a volunteer firefighter was killed in a car wreck in 2016 when he left The Shack on the way to a call. He died at the end of June 2016, and his memorial service was July 5.

“That’s what they would have wanted because they loved this place,” Sharon said. “The day my brother died, he had just sat and figured out what we were going to cook for the Fourth. He said we were going to sell 90 slabs of ribs that day. He was right. We sold 90 slabs.”

Over the years, they’ve had offers to buy the place, and they’ve thought about selling but just couldn’t do it. “I’m afraid they’d change things, and it just wouldn’t be The Shack anymore,” Sharon said.

“I love this place,” she said. “It’s not just the food, it’s the history. I don’t care if I lose a million or make a million, I just love the people. We hope our children and other kin people are still running it and making great memories for the next 40 years.”.

Baked Beans

117-oz can Bush’s Baked Beans
1/2 cup ketchup
¼ cup mustard
½ cup chopped onions
½ cup barbecue sauce
¼ pound chopped Boston butt, inside and outside meat

Mix all ingredients and cook in slow cooker on low for 4-5 hours.

Coleslaw

Large head of cabbage, chopped
1 pack grated baby carrots
2-3 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup dill pickle juice
1-2 cups mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix well, chill, and store in a plastic bowl, not metal. Use it up by the next day

Coosa River Ramble

A fun day and a better future for our beloved river

Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by Bob Crisp

As each stroke of the paddle in the first ever Coosa River Ramble brought racers closer to the finish line, it pushed the Coosa River closer to a better future.

It was more than a race. It was a celebration of the Coosa River and the people working to keep it clean, healthy and thriving.

“It benefits our mission to protect the Coosa River and the communities that rely on it,” said Director of Community Engagement Abby Brown.

Logan Martin Lake and Lakeside Park became the destination point for about 60 racers from around the state and out-of-state for this new event to raise funds for Coosa Riverkeeper and its environmental efforts.

Kayakers and paddleboarders took to the waters just beyond the park’s beach, and it drew a cheering crowd of onlookers, fans and family. There were vendors and food trucks and prizes to give away. “It was a great time,” Brown said. “Tons of families came with the racers.”

Of course, it was June in Alabama, so “it was very, very hot, but a beautiful day,” she noted. In addition to cheering sections from the shoreline, residents cheered from docks up and down the race route.

The 24K course took paddlers to Coosa Island Marina and Towboat US and back, quite a trek racers were able to complete in about two hours. Winners captured titles in the 24K, 10K and 5K categories. The 5K and 10K versions were off the main channel near Lakeside Park. A 3K and 5K “fun float” used the same course without the pressure of competition.

The response to this inaugural event was “fantastic,” Brown said, noting that first responder volunteers and volunteers from Honda strengthened the community’s impressive show of support.

Butts to Go donated and served barbecue and trimmings for the racers and volunteers. Gift card prizes came from Dock’s and Daily Bagel. Sponsors and donors not only made the event possible, they helped make it a success story – financially and environmentally.

“We are so thankful for the community engagement,” Brown said. “We hope to continue to engage the paddler community again very soon.”

As part of its priorities, Coosa Riverkeeper patrols five lakes and dozens of creeks to identify and document pollution – and beauty – and keep abreast of what is going on in the river system.

It educates the public about the value of the Coosa River to its community, economy and environment.

Coosa Riverkeeper is a strong advocate for the river and the “thousands of families who rely on it for fun, food, and property value,” it maintains. “A river has a head and a mouth, but it does not have a voice to speak for itself in our classrooms, courtrooms, and town halls.”

That’s Coosa Riverkeeper’s job.

Editor’s Note: To learn more about Coosa Riverkeeper, go to: CoosaRiverkeeper.org.

July a very special month this year

Just when you thought summer would never get here, it seems like hardly a day has passed, and it’s July!

This is quite a special month on our lakes and across our country as America celebrates 250 years as a nation. Spectacular events as stunning as the fireworks displays that illuminate them are bringing people from near and far to celebrate.

From huge fireworks displays over Logan Martin at Pell City and Lincoln and on Neely Henry at Gadsden. Southside’s drone light show returns, and Greensport Marina is planning quite a celebration with a fireworks display over the water as its grand finale.

City of Pell City is doubling its investment in its fireworks extravaganza, Lights Over Logan Martin. They’ve dubbed it the “once-in-a-generation fireworks show” along with activities in Lakeside Park featuring Kids Zone, food trucks and music from the main stage.

Meanwhile, City of Gadsden has upped its ante, too. Freedom Fest is so big, it stretches over two days – July 3-4. Fireworks won’t be the only thing heading skyward for America’s 250^th birthday. And as its name implies, everything is free – Hot Air Balloon Festival, tethered rides, live music all weekend with a huge finale featuring Black Jacket Symphony performing Yacht Rock.

And of course, there will be plenty of fireworks as Gadsden launches its “largest fireworks display in the Southeast” over the Coosa River from Broad Street Bridge on the night of the nation’s birthday.

Later in the month, Pier 59 on Logan Martin holds its celebration of a different kind – Christmas in July – providing an unforgettable Christmas for students at Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. From cornhole tournament to poker run to auctions and entertainment, Christmas in July, slated for July 11, keeps getting bigger, better and more benevolent as each year goes by.

There’s plenty more going on throughout the lakes region, and you’ll find out all about them in this issue of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine.

Check out how the inaugural Coosa River Ramble, where kayakers and paddleboarders race not only for the finish line, but for the future of the Coosa River.

Step back into history when native Americans roamed these shorelines of Logan Martin and Neely Henry as Alabama Power and a team of archeologists share their ‘finds’ along the Coosa River.

Read all about veterans helping veterans enjoy the lake, now a pre-Memorial Day tradition on Logan Martin. Or learn about Gadsden’s new kayak and canoe launch and the pedal boats at Coosa Landing, both an effort to make the lake more accessible and enjoyable.

Up ahead, preview what’s in store for the 2026 version of Lakeside Live Musicfest and Car Show at Lakeside Park coming in September. And see how an engineering teacher is offering lessons of another kind to children through a series of books featuring the Goldendoodle Sisters.

It’s people, places and great celebrations on and around our lakes. Take your pick, turn the page and discover what lake life is all about with us!

Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher

Arts Trail on Broad

Gadsden museum finding new ways to promote art for generations to come

When Ray Wetzel was in high school in Hokes Bluff, there was no art program. But through encouragement and mentoring, he followed his passion into college and emerged with a Fine Arts degree in painting.

Now, as director of Gadsden Museum of Art, Wetzel wants to provide to young people opportunities he lacked early on by promoting the arts in new and innovative ways.

May 8-9, art will take center stage – or in this case, center street – as Arts Trail on Broad arrives for its inaugural event sponsored by Alabama Arts Trail, City of Gadsden and Gadsden Museum of Art.

The Arts Trail is a project of the Alabama Visual Arts Network which has been linking artists’ studios around the state for more than 60 years.

Arts Trail on Broad was “birthed” from the successes of Gadsden Arts Council’s Artoberfest in October in Alabama City, which seeks to bring arts to life around different arts organizations, such as music, dance and theatre.

Wetzel is a board member with Alabama Visual Arts Network and wanted to merge the idea with art as the centerpiece of a Broad Street event. It brings art groups to Gadsden in various mediums. There will be sculptures, murals, metal and iron works, painting and more with artist demonstrations up and down Broad Street.

Demonstrating artists will actively share their creative process with the public (for example: live painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, fiber, mixed media), while also having the opportunity to present and sell their work.

Friday’s events begin at 11 with demonstrations for high school students. The first leg of the two-day event is talking to young people – professional artists sharing their experiences, said Wetzel. “Art is a billion-dollar industry. It’s not a dead- end career. We want to encourage children to go into this field.”

Alabama Contemporary Art Center will bring “big name artists” to Gadsden, Wetzel said, heightening the draw of this new event.

True Colors, an Etowah County Schools art program for underserved students, will have an exhibition reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gadsden Museum of Art, and free music of all types will be performed throughout the weekend.

Entertainment is nonstop on Friday night.

Maypole performance by the Downtown Dance Conservatory (6 p.m.) at Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts
Piano concert by Eden Brent (7 p.m.) at Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts
Me & My Knife (8 p.m.) and
Quintron and Miss Pussycat (9 p.m.) on the street by the Gadsden Museum of Art

Live music will be performed by:

Sam and The Big Boys (6:30 p.m.)
Phantom Eye (7:30 p.m.)
The Laborers (8:30 p.m.)
Brotha Josh (9:30 p.m.)
The Golden Flakes (10:30 p.m.)

Saturday begins at 9 a.m. with a Mother’s Day Market with over 30 art vendors, Chompshop Cardboard Sculpture Contest and directed drawing workshops.

From 11-1, Jacksonville State University will offer portfolio reviews and critiques. And all day long will feature a bounce house and food trucks. l

Editor’s Note: Performance times are subject to change. Please visit this page for the latest show times: gadsdenmuseum.com/all-events

Spectacular summer for Logan Martin

Lineup of events keeps things hopping on the water

Story by Molly Gilbert
Submitted Photos

On Lake Logan Martin, summer isn’t just a season — it’s a feeling. It’s the hum of boat engines in the distance, the glow of late sunsets stretching across the water and the familiar sight of neighbors gathering in ways that feel both meaningful and effortless.

Some traditions are rooted in giving back, others in pure fun, but what they all share is a simple truth: life on the lake is best experienced together.

This summer, three standout events — the Riverside Poker Run, Dam Palooza and Christmas in July at Pier 59 — offer three very different ways to celebrate everything that makes this community special.

Riverside Poker Run: A Tradition Built on Community and Purpose

Now in its 17th year, the Riverside Poker Run has become a Father’s Day weekend tradition that feels as much like a family reunion as it does a fundraiser. Organized by the Riverside Beautification Organization (RBO), the event began in 2008 as a creative way to raise funds—and has since grown into the organization’s largest annual effort to support projects that shape the heart of Riverside.

The poker run is a community event with plenty of neighbors getting in on the festivities

On the morning of the run, there’s a quiet buzz near Riverside Landing as boats begin to gather — pontoons loaded with families and friends, fishing boats easing into the current, jet skis darting between them. Participants pick up their $20 registration packets, complete with a map, poker chips and cards, then set off along a seven-stop route winding through the river.

Each dock along the way offers a chance to draw a card, but the experience is about far more than building a winning hand. This year, every stop is dressed in patriotic flair in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday, turning the route into a floating celebration.

“My motivation to be involved with the Annual Poker Run is the camaraderie between the community and other RBO members,” said Michele Molstad, president of the organization. “It’s a fun and great example of teamwork.”

That camaraderie shows up in the smallest moments — volunteers greeting familiar faces, laughter echoing across the docks and the steady rhythm of boats pulling up one after another.

“When you’re working a dock sometimes it feels like the run is off to a slow start, but it is not long before a constant flow of boaters on everything from pontoons to fishing boats to jet skis are lined up to participate and draw their cards,” Molstad said. “Even if they don’t have the makings for a winning hand, they are out enjoying the day on the water!”

Back at Riverside Landing, the celebration continues with Bucks BBQ and Bait Shop, food trucks, live music, raffles and prizes — including everything from best poker hands to a good-natured worst-hand award.

But the real impact runs deeper. Funds raised have helped build playgrounds, improve trails and enhance native habitats. This year’s event also marks the final push in a multi-year riverbank restoration project, with just 40 feet left to complete and a final $6,000 goal in sight.

“Every year I’m surprised with the turn out,” Molstad said. “We have had boaters from Lincoln, Talladega, Pell City and visitors from even further out-of-town spending the day with family and friends on the lake. Our mayor, Rusty Jessup, gets involved and announces the winners from the Riverside Landing each year. The poker run fundraising goes a long way in our Riverside community.”

Set for Saturday, June 20 (rain date June 27), the Riverside Poker Run is more than a day on the water—it’s a chance to be part of something that lasts long after the boats head home.

For more information, visit the Riverside Beautification Organization (RBO) Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/riversidebeautificationorganization.

For more information about sponsoring or volunteering, contact RBO Vice President Stephanie Irwin at 205-821-8168. Riverside Poker Run registration will be from 4 – 7 p.m. Friday, June 19th, and Saturday, June 20th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All poker hands must be turned into the RBO staff by 2 p.m. on Saturday. Awards will be announced shortly after.

Dam Palooza: A Floating Celebration of Summer

If the Riverside Poker Run is about the journey, Dam Palooza is all about the gathering.

On June 27, boats from across Lake Logan Martin will make their way toward the dam, tying up side by side to form what has become one of the lake’s most anticipated summer traditions.

Boats line up and create safe area for swimmers

“You meet new people each year,” said organizer Kelly Collar. “It’s a fun annual event that’s become a tradition for decades. Something a little different from everyday lake life. Everyone looks forward to it.”

From the water, the scene feels almost like a neighborhood block party — just one that happens to float. Friends move easily between boats, kids splash in designated swim areas, and groups settle in for a full day under the sun. It’s the kind of event where familiar faces return year after year, but new friendships are just as much a part of the experience.

“It’s gotten bigger and bigger,” Collar said. “Last year was our biggest one — the most boats of any year and the most people. Last year was absolutely perfect, and therefore this year is going to be even better!”

Part of that growth comes from a few thoughtful additions that build on what people already love. Sponsors, including The Tiki Hut, ABC Towing and A+ Tire & Repair, are helping elevate the experience, while still keeping it free and community-driven.

“In past years, it’s been like 100 boats playing different music,” Collar said. “So the idea of one band and one source of music has been really exciting.”

After introducing a live band for the first time last year — hosted atop a houseboat provided by The Tiki Hut — organizers are building on that momentum. This year, the goal is to place the band on a floating stage right in the center of the tied-up boats, where everyone can gather a little closer and feel like part of the same crowd.

Even as the event grows, organizers are intentional about keeping the atmosphere welcoming for everyone. Designated swim areas, along with posted tips and guidelines on the event’s Facebook page, help ensure that the day stays both fun and safe.

“We definitely want people to know that it’s always kid-friendly. Dam Palooza is for everybody,” Collar said. “We’ve seen little children to grandparents. It just seems like everybody is having a good time. It’s always safety first.”

By the time the sun begins to dip, and boats slowly start to untie, what lingers most isn’t just the music or the size of the crowd — it’s the connections made along the way.

For more information, visit the Lake Logan Martin Dam Palooza Boat Tie Up Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LakeLoganMartinDamPalooza. Stop by The Tiki Hut to purchase a limited edition commemorative t-shirts for the 13th Annual Dam Palooza.

Christmas in July at Pier 59: Giving Back, Lake-Style

Later in the summer, the tone shifts — but the sense of community only grows stronger.

On July 11, Pier 59 will host its 17th annual Christmas in July celebration, an event that blends festive fun with a deeply meaningful tradition of supporting the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB).

The Christmas in July Committee has a passion for supporting AIDB’s work. Each year, the event raises funds to provide Christmas gifts for approximately 350-400 students, many of whom might otherwise go without. With an estimated goal of $300 per child, the impact is both tangible and deeply felt.

Christmas in July is a team effort that brings the community together for a good cause

On the morning of the fundraiser, hit the water for a boat poker run that begins and ends at Pier 59. The live auction will follow and feature everything from handmade items created by AIDB students to vacation getaways, jewelry and sports memorabilia. Raffle tickets for a $10,000 cash prize and Boston butts are pre-sold to also help support the cause. There’s a sense of celebration in the air — equal parts festive and heartfelt.

For Magan Cline, being part of Christmas in July is all about the team behind it. After attending for several years and volunteering last year, she now helps as part of the committee, working alongside others to create a night that gives back in a big way.

“Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I love AIDB’s mission. It’s really like an eat, drink and be merry situation,” Cline said. “It’s super special to be a part of. I’ve toured AIDB and seen how much they do for these kids. It’s a great way for people to give back to the kids and help them as well.”

It’s that blend of joy and generosity that makes Christmas in July stand out. In a place where community already runs strong, it offers a chance to turn that connection into something meaningful for others.

For more information, contact: Magan Cline mmkcline@gmail.com or Becky Watson at 256-761-3318.

Celebrating Community

Taken together, these three events paint a picture of what summer on Lake Logan Martin is all about.

It’s early mornings launching boats and long afternoons drifting between friends. It’s laughter at a dock stop, music echoing across the water and neighbors showing up — again and again — for something bigger than themselves.

Whether you’re playing a hand in Riverside, tying up at the dam or bidding on items at Pier 59, each event offers its own way to step into the rhythm of the lake. And in doing so, you become part of the story that keeps this community coming back, year after year.

Because here, the best days aren’t just spent on the water — they’re shared.

East Alabama Boat Show

Another year of success for event at Quintard Mall

Story and photos
by Graham Hadley

The East Alabama Boat show notched another successful year as boat dealers filled the Quintard Mall parking lot in Oxford with row after row of a huge variety of watercraft – from WaveRunners to large performance luxury tritoons.

Vanessa and Clyde Keel from Lincoln try out a personal watercraft

The event, sponsored by AmFirst, was held April 10-12, and featured boats from Poor House Branch Marina, Sylacauga Marine and Wedowee Marine, and vendors like Oxford’s Tackle Box.

Organizer Thomas Shelton, who worked with the City of Oxford to make it all happen, credits the success of the boat show to a combination of great location combined with what the boat dealers bring to the table.

“The mall is the perfect location, at the intersection of two highways, plenty room for the boats and parking,” he said. “We try to pick a place for these events that generates traffic for the local businesses. And the mall has all the amenities – restrooms and the food court, plus the arcade and movie theater and other shops. From a family perspective, it made perfect sense. It makes the show a more inclusive event.

“And the folks at Quintard Mall are great to work with. They were very welcoming and really care about their tenants and do what they can to generate traffic for the mall.”

Shelton said, because they have almost no overhead, it is a very affordable show for the boat dealers, vendors and sponsors. “Almost everything they put into the show goes into marketing it. It’s a very effective way to market and a good way for the sponsor and the dealers to get their money’s worth.”

Oxford’s Tackle Box was on hand to show off fishing gear

The show is limited to three dealers with the idea that they bring lots of boats – fishing, ski and wake, pontoons and tritoons, and personal watercraft. Shelton said that works out well because it means those few dealers get all the customer traffic and are much more likely to make sales.

“Because we are so affordable a show, the dealers, for all their work, only have to make a few sales for the event to be profitable for them.”

Shelton, who has a local Alfa insurance agency in Oxford, consults on the boat show and to bring more fishing tournaments to Calhoun County and surrounding areas. He taps into his love of fishing and the water and his experience as a competitive fisherman to help attract the events to the region.

“I am a presenting sponsor for the Alabama Bass Trail, Fishers of Men, Sylacauga Marine Trail and others. In fact, my daughter and I are going to be on the ABT fishing tournament tomorrow on Neely Henry.”

Bringing in big dealers from across the region – Poor House in Talladega County, Wedowee Marine and Sylacauga Marine – is a win-win for the mall and Calhoun County.

Something for everyone: bass boats, wake boats and pontoons

“The show was well attended. The dealers said they were happy with sales, and it drew not only local visitors, but people from Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Auburn and parts of Georgia,” said Cher Dulaney, tourism director for the Calhoun County Area Chamber and Visitors Center.

“It brings traffic to the mall and other businesses and highlights that, with all the renovations, the mall is becoming a lifestyle center for the community. Having something regional in reach going on in the parking lot is great for that.

“Its part of the big picture – attracting more and more people to the area.”

With the latest successful show under his belt, Shelton said he is already looking to next year.

“As long as there is interest, we will continue to host the show here. And we have had a lot of interest.”

Logan Martin Lakefest

Boats, fireworks, music and more

It’s hard to top the year before 16 years in a row, but Logan Martin LakeFest organizers just seem to find a way to do it, year after year.

From its signature in-water boat show to a spectacular fireworks display to stages full of headliner bands and discovered new talent, LakeFest presented by AmFirst keeps it fresh and new each year.

From dozens of lake lifestyle vendors to a palate pleasing lineup of food trucks to the Mates and Mateys Parade and games and rides for the kids, Lakeside Park is transformed into a fun-filled paradise.

Set for May 8-10, the weekend is packed with all kinds of activities designed to lure lake and land lovers alike.

On Sunday, May 10, there will even be free Mimosas for Moms – a special treat for Mother’s Day.

Want to go? Admission is free, and prizes are given away all weekend. You’re eligible just by dropping your ticket into the drawing box. Grand prizes are announced Sunday afternoon.

Proceeds from sponsorships and vendor booth rentals help support Logan Martin LakeFest Charities, a nonprofit organization contributing to other nonprofits around the community.

LakeFest Day 1
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Vendor Setup
2 p.m.: LakeFest open to the public, Live Music, Vendors, Boat Test Drives
Soon after dark (estimated around 8 P.M.): FIREWORKS show honoring veterans from the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home
9 p.m.: LakeFest closes for the evening

LakeFest Day 2
7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Vendor Setup
10 a.m.: LakeFest Day 2 Open! Live Music, Vendors, Boat Test Drives
9 p.m.: Lakefest closes for the evening

LakeFest Day 3
12 p.m.: LakeFest Day 3 Open!
12 p.m.: FREE Mimosas for Mom and special gift courtesy A.m.First.
3 p.m.: Giveaway winners announced, Live Music!
5 p.m.: LakeFest ends

Catchin’ the Coosa May 2026

Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett

Logan Martin

Logan Martin’s water levels will be changing during the months of May and June, and in turn, the patterns of bass will changing during these months as well.

Early in the month of May, you can still see bass on beds and also catch fish out deep. Typically, in May, bass will be very spread out and in very different phases of the spawn. However, for the majority of the time in May, your better fish are still going to be shallow.

The water on Logan Martin is just starting to rise and get to summer pool. Typically, the fish will follow this water up and stay shallow during May.

There are a couple of key baits I like to use in order to catch fish while they’re in their post spawn funk. First bait I’m going to reach for early, especially in the morning, is a swim jig. What I like about the swim jig is that it is very versatile. This bait is great around almost any kind of shallow structure, such as docks, trees, and grass.

The swim jig allows me to cover water fast and efficiently in order to capitalize on the daylight bite. Once the sun finally starts to get up, I’ll start casting to isolated structure with a wacky rigged worm. This is a great way to just get bites and get those post spawn fish to bite.

I usually target really shallow docks with this bait, along with casting to what bedding fish might be left. Once we start getting into the month of June the water temps will begin to rise, and the shallows will begin to slowly lose oxygen – especially if there is lack of rain.

The fish will start schooling up on the end of long points and humps anywhere from 10 to 20 feet of water. I also like to target brush piles in this depth as well. My favorite bait to target these fish are a deep diving crankbait and drop shot rig.

Some of the biggest offshore fish I catch all year will come on the crank bait most of the time. The crankbait is an awesome way to really fire up a school of bass and get more fish to bite in the school.

The drop shot seems to excel a lot more in brush piles because it is more of a reaction type bite if you drop it right in the brush pile. I feel like the drop shot is always my best chance to get bit in the brush pile no matter what size of fish might be in the pile.

These fish are typically more lethargic since they’re usually pretty beat up from the spawn. Give these techniques a try, and you will find success during these months on Logan Martin.

Neely Henry

Neely Henry is a shallow fisherman’s paradise during the months of May and June. On top of that, a few deep fish will start showing up as well.

Typically, during these months, you will still catch your better fish shallow. I love to fish around shallow grass in the mid-lake region with a swim jig and frog. I keep my eyes peeled for bream beds as well.

Also another great way to catch fish on Neely Henry is super shallow docks. When I say shallow docks, I’m talking about any docks five feet deep or less of water.

I let the weather tell me what I need to throw around them. If it’s in and out clouds, I like to throw more of a moving bait like a bladed jig or squarebill crankbait. If it’s slick calm and sunny, I will pick up some type of Texas rigged worm and drag it on the bottom around the docks.

Now, moving into the month of June, some fish will make their move out to deeper water. Most of the time on Neely Henry, I’ll find fish in that mid-range depth – around the 10 to 15-foot mark.

Most of the time, you will find these fish off the end of long points or in brush piles. I will use my electronics in order to find these fish as well. I will keep my bait selection simple if I’m wanting to figure out fast if the fish are doing this pattern.

One of my favorite baits to pick up first is a football jig. The football jig is a very versatile bait for offshore angling. I like to either keep it close to the bottom or if I’m wanting to cover water fast I’ll just swim it close to the bottom.

Another great option if things are tough is a drop shot. A drop shot will produce bites when nothing else will.

Keep an open mind this time of year and don’t be afraid to try something new. It might surprise you how good the fish can really bite on Neely Henry even when the fish might be in their post spawn funk.

Zeke Gossett of Zeke Gossett Fishing grew up on the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake. He is a former collegiate champion and is now a professional angler on the B.A.S.S. tour circuit and is a fishing guide. Learn more about Zeke at: zekegossettfishing.com.

Coosa River Ramble

Join us on the mighty Coosa to kick off summer with the very first Coosa River Ramble on June 13 at Lakeside Park in Pell City! This event will be open to families and spectators of all ages, and we’ll have vendors, music, food trucks, and more during and after the race to create a fun-filled day!

Whether you are new to paddlin’ or have been doing it for years, we hope you will join us! You can pick between a 5k or 10k and choose to take it slow or try to win! Every racer will get access to pre-race yoga, t-shirt, race participation medal, stickers, and more.

Registration includes entry to the race, swag bag, access to the fun before & after the race (yoga, raffles, vendors, music, etc), lunch, and of course the chance to win! You’ll also be making the world a better place by protecting the mighty Coosa!

Swim Guide season is beginning soon! Swim on over to our website and socials to make sure you’re getting the skinny before you dip this summer.

Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper
For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.

The Gathering Cup

Turner Family Farms brews coffee and conversation in new shop

Story by Roxann Edsall
Photos by Mackenzie Free

In this hurry-up, rapid-fire world, when was the last time you were invited to slow down and savor time spent in conversation? A new area coffee shop is aiming to be the social catalyst to improve interaction and quality time together.

The Gathering Cup at Turner Family Farms has been inviting relationship building over coffee since late October.

Owners Victor and Hillary Turner say they have some of their best conversations over their morning coffee. “We love coffee,” says Hillary. “It brings out conversation, and it’s doing that nearly every day of the week here.”

“Coffee time is such a great time to have a needed conversation,” adds Victor. “It’s important for us to slow down and talk. We’re providing this location so people can grow their relationships and make memories here.” The couple welcome small groups, businesses and individuals to meet in their cozy café, calling it a place for “good coffee, good company and good memories.”

Families in the community have already been making memories on the property since fall of 2022 when the Turners opened their Pumpkin Patch. Last year, they planted 25 acres of pumpkins and nearly sold out. “We were overwhelmed by the community that showed up for us this past year,” says Victor.

In 2023, Turner Family Farm added to their offerings, opening a seasonal Christmas Wonderland, complete with Santa, horse and carriage rides, train rides, a petting zoo, Christmas movies and a hayride through a magical forest lightshow.

The Christmas Wonderland idea came from an experience the couple had in Texas. “We were in Texas doing temporary work there in 2017. I was homesick for Alabama and Victor took me to a Santa wonderland event in College Station to cheer me up,” explains Hillary. “It was magical!”

When they returned to Pell City, they talked about wanting to offer a similar place to give families a place to make those magical memories. They started looked for land that could support the types of family events they envisioned.

The perfect 146 acres came available in Lincoln. They purchased the land in 2022 and got to work on their vision. First up was reworking and rebuilding the two barns on the property.

It was simpler to do a pumpkin patch, so they started up with that their first year. While working the patch, they continued improving other areas on the farm, building a corn crib, playground and zip line. They now have two pumpkin fields that they rotate every other year

“We worked such long hours during the Pumpkin Patch this year that we decided to pull our camper out here so we could work and still take care of our babies,” said Hillary. The couple, who live in Pell City, have two daughters, Callie (age 7) and Charlee (age 5), and a two-year-old son, Crue. All three help with planting and enjoy helping take care of the animals.

“When they come to the farm, the first thing our children do is go to the barn to see the animals,” says Hillary. “I try to think that if my children enjoy it, then other people’s children will too.” The farm’s cows, goats, lambs and rabbits are all part of the petting zoo that can be seen during special events and field trips.

Hillary’s mom, Sonya Moses, who retired from Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, helps the couple by handling field trip scheduling. Other family members and friends also pitch in when needed. “When we have seasonal events going on, it takes over 20 people to staff each day,” Victor says.

Parents can grab a cup of joe before heading out with their children to the adjacent expansive playground. Located on Stemley Road in Lincoln, the coffee shop is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Gathering Cup manager, Alivia Huffman, and her staff offer hot and iced coffee varieties, handcrafted lattes, hot chocolate, expressos, in addition to a selection of breakfast, lunch and pastry items.

If you indulge in the pastry items or the hand-scooped ice cream treats, don’t worry. You can work off the calories by walking the one-mile trail or by joining a Tuesday night Pilates class in the barn. Sign up for Pilates through Tone Wellness on their Facebook page.

The mission of Turner Family Farms is to honor God, families and community by offering a place where families can make memories. The newest chapter in their story goes well beyond pumpkins, Christmas lights and coffee. This month, they expect to open their wedding and event space.

The larger event space features an 80-foot by 120-foot event barn with a full commercial kitchen and an upstairs bridal suite with a Juliette balcony. The 50-foot by 120-foot barn is an option for smaller events. The outdoor pavilion with turf presents another gathering space. Plans also include converting a smaller barn into a chapel.

“We’ve had many people who have let us know they’ve gotten engaged on our property,” said Victor. “We think that’s a special thing. You can get married here and come back later with your kids and have pictures made in the same place.” Their hope is that couples who get married on the farm will return for future photos and milestones, building a family tradition in the place where their story began.

Since they’ve opened the coffee shop, the property is accessible year-round and gives people a reason to visit anytime. “People have told us they want more events so they can come to the farm and have fun more often,” adds Hillary. Last month the facility hosted a new event – an Easter egg hunt.

For the Turners, the coffee shop is more than just a service center. It’s a place where relationships can happen and where families can spend quality time together. With free internet, they also invite businesses and small groups to gather around their tables for meetings. Or put down the phone, close the laptop and savor the flavor of the life with a piece of avocado toast and a cup of coffee.

Editor’s Note: For more information or directions – turnerfamilyfarmsal.com